Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
631. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current criteria and decision-making process applied by her Department and by Bus Éireann when determining eligibility for school transport in case (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30933/26]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.
The scheme has expanded significantly over the past six years. In that time, the numbers of children and young people using the service have grown from under 120,000 pupils in 2018 to over 180,000 pupils in 2025, which equates to an increase of close to 50%.
Under the current terms of the schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. Pupils who are not eligible for transport are known as concessionary pupils.
A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.
Temporary Alleviation Measures (TAMs) currently apply to the post primary scheme only. Under those measures transport is provided where there is a route in operation and where capacity exists for concessionary post primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school, are attending their second nearest school and who applied and paid on time.
The portal for the 2026/27 school year is open until 08 May 2026. After the closing date, the portal will close for a number of weeks. This will give Bus Éireann time to assess all applications and plan for routes and services for the 2026/27 school year. Routes may be altered or extended depending on the number and location of children who will be availing of school transport for the following school year.
It was outlined at the time of the School Transport Review’s publication that the proposed changes to the eligibility criteria will likely increase demand for the scheme. On this basis, it would be prudent to implement the proposed changes on a phased basis to ensure its rollout is as smooth as possible.
A phased implementation of the School Transport Review’s recommendations began at the start of the 2024/2025 school year where the Department began testing the feasibility of a number of approaches through a series of pilot programmes; these pilots are held in conjunction with the National Transport Authority, the Department of Transport and Bus Éireann.
A total of 14 pilot projects commenced in the 2024/2025 school year and are continuing for the current school year. 11 further pilots were approved for the 2025/2026 school year. Bus Éireann reviewed where additional capacity may be available for concessionary pupils who paid on time and would become eligible if the revised school transport scheme criteria was rolled out in full.
These pilots will test the revised scheme eligibility criteria. The distance criteria for pupils will be reduced to 2km for both primary and post primary and the requirement for a pupil to be attending their closest school is removed.
Once a pilot route is established in an area, pupils travelling on this pilot route will still be considered as concessionary under the current terms of the scheme; the revised eligibility criteria is being tested only for the duration of the pilot projects.
These pilots will be evaluated in full following the 2025/2026 school year and should provide valuable insights into the impact of increased demand on the scheme, the potential for integrating public transport with school transport services, and opportunities to promote more sustainable modes of transport. The findings from the evaluation will guide the planning and implementation needed for a national rollout of a revised School Transport Scheme.
The rollout of recommendations of the School Transport Review will continue on a phased basis, subject to increased financial investment and where there are available resources and capacity to support the recommendations.
